Short Film Produced in Collaboration with Woodlands Primary School

A short film has been produced in collaboration with pupils at Woodlands Primary School as part of the Bemerton Heath Pride In Place project.

Salisbury-based theatre company Stories in the Dust worked with pupils from Woodlands Primary School, located on Winding Way in Bemerton Heath, to produce the animated film. 

The film explores their living experiences, perspectives and feelings about the place they call home. 

Woodlands Primary School Headteacher, Matthew Kitley, said it was a great experience for the pupils to work on the project. He said, "The Stories in the Dust project has been an absolutely brilliant experience for the children at Woodlands Primary School.

"Delivered through the Salisbury Bemerton Pride in Place programme, this wonderful initiative has given our Year 4 and Year 5 pupils a unique opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives and feelings about the community they call home.

"The children have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in creating a film that celebrates their voices and their connection to Bemerton Heath. It has been fantastic to see their confidence, creativity and pride in their local community develop throughout the project.

"A very special thank you must go to Anna and Iona from Stories in the Dust, whose enthusiasm, dedication and wonderful work with our children have made this such a memorable and rewarding experience.

"We are incredibly proud of what the children have achieved and delighted that their voices and stories have been celebrated in such a meaningful way."

Iona Sheppard from Stories in the Dust told Salisbury Radio, "We're really excited about sharing the film, and the impact it could have on the future of Bemerton Heath. It's vitally important that young people are given a voice when it comes to decision-making about their community, and this film aims to do just that.

"We ran fun drama, art and creative writing workshops that gave the young people time to think about and share their opinions, in many different ways and styles, allowing them to authentically express their thoughts and feelings about where they live.

"The UK Government's Pride in Place programme is a nationwide ten-year community investment initiative, and so the young people's voices will be heard far and wide, including this week at i-PLACE 26, the annual conference of the Key Cities Innovation Network, which brings together local government, universities, researchers, civic organisations and practitioners who work at the forefront of place innovation.

"It was a privilege to work with the young people from Woodlands on this project."

The project is part of the government’s Pride in Place programme. The Pride in Place programme is a new national initiative that provides up to £20 million over 10 years to areas the Government has identified as most in need of support.

Independent chair Tom Belshaw leads the Salisbury Bemerton Community Board, alongside a 13-member panel of local leaders, residents, and stakeholders.

Backed by long-term funding, the community-led project aims to revitalise the local area through direct resident feedback, with a comprehensive ten-year investment plan currently being finalised for submission following extensive local surveys and community heritage events.

Stories in the Dust is a Salisbury-based theatre company that tours family shows alongside extensive outreach projects. www.storiesinthedust.co.uk